DREAM Act supporters rally in Hempstead

Though the DREAM Act was not included in the state budget, the “dreamers” are not giving up their fight. Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to pass

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to pass the DREAM Act during his re-election victory speech last November. The act would allow children of immigrants illegally living in the U.S. to receive state college aid. (4/9/15)

HEMPSTEAD - Though the DREAM Act was not included in the state budget, the “dreamers” are not giving up their fight.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to pass the DREAM Act during his re-election victory speech last November. The act would allow children of immigrants illegally living in the U.S. to receive state college aid.

Francis Madi was one of a dozen immigrant activists at a small rally in Hempstead who called on the governor to pass the DREAM Act.

"It wasn't until I started applying to college that I found out that I lacked a Social Security number, which is what you need to apply for loans for scholarships…I realized I wasn't going to be able to get the same opportunities as everyone else," said Madi.

David Zere, of Port Jefferson Station, says using taxpayer funds to help children in the country illegally is unfair.

"I got to fund somebody else's kid from Guatemala or El Salvador or Latin America when there's millions of people who are on line to come into this country legally?” said Zere. "Everybody wants a better life for their children, but this isn't the way to do it."

The DREAM Act is expected to be brought up separately between April and June when the legislative session comes to a close.